Dress Code

DRESS CODE

Student attire and grooming must permit the student to participate in learning without posing a risk to the health or safety of any student or school district personnel. 

• Students must wear a shirt with shorts, pants, or skirt, or the equivalent (for example, dresses or leggings) and shoes conducive to physical activity. 

• Sneakers are required for PE and all field trips.

• Clothing must cover the area from one armpit to the other, down to approximately 3 to 4 inches in length on the upper thighs. Tops must have shoulder straps.

• Clothing must cover undergarments (waistbands and straps included) AND midriffs. 

• Fabric must be opaque. Any rips or tears must be below 3 to 4 inches in length.

• Hats and other headwear must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff. Hoodies must allow the face and ears to be visible to school staff. 

• Sunglasses must be removed upon entering the buildings.

• Clothing must suit all scheduled classroom activities, including physical education, science labs, and other activities with unique hazards.

• Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear. 

Attire or grooming depicting or advocating violence, criminal activity, use of alcohol or drugs, pornography, or hate speech are prohibited.  Specifically: 

• Clothing may not depict, advertise, or advocate the use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or other controlled substances.

• Clothing may not depict pornography, nudity, or sexual acts. 

• Clothing may not display or imply vulgar, discriminatory, or obscene language or images.

• Clothing may not use or depict hate speech targeting groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or any other protected classification. 

• Clothing must not threaten the health or safety of any other student or staff.

• Enforcement must accommodate clothing worn by students to express sincerely held religious beliefs (headscarves, for example) and worn by students with disabilities (protective helmets, for example). 

RESPONSIBILITY

Parent/Guardian Responsibility: The responsibility for the dress and grooming of a student rests primarily with the student and the parents or guardians. Parents or guardians ensure student compliance with the school dress code.

Student Responsibility: All students are responsible for complying with the dress code during school hours and school activities. 

Staff Responsibility: To equitably enforce the district dress code, teachers, administrators, and all school staff must be notified of the policy at the beginning of the school year regarding its purpose and spirit and how to enforce it without shaming students or disproportionately impacting certain student groups. Staff should be guided by the dress code policy and follow the letter and spirit of the district dress code. 

Enforcement. 

In no circumstances shall a student be spoken to about a dress code violation in front of other students. 

• Teachers or staff who discuss a dress or grooming violation with a student should present options for obtaining appropriate clothing (e.g., the school clothing closet, or parent contact).

• Enforcement must be equitable, with no group experiencing disproportionate enforcement.

• If the student contests the teacher’s judgment, The principal or designee is responsible for determining whether a student is dressed appropriately according to the school’s uniform dress code. 

Exceptions and Accommodations. 

• The principal may exempt a student fromthe dress code if requested in writing by the parent or guardian because of extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances are generally limited to the student’s disability/medical condition or sincerely held religious beliefs substantially affected by a uniform dress code requirement. 

• The principal will interview the parents and the student before deciding on an exemption. The exemption shall be as narrow as possible to ensure that the appropriate accommodation is made. The principal shall confirm the dress code required of the student subject to an exemption in writing to the parent and student. The principal is highly encouraged to contact the Board of Directors when exemptions are requested. 

Implementation Supports

• Nothing in this directive shall be construed to restrict or ban a student’s wearing of religious clothing. Parents having religion-based concerns regarding a school’s dress policy are encouraged to discuss them with the principal.

Consequences for Violating the Dress Code

• First violation- conference with teacher/student must change into appropriate attire/parent contact/student documentation

• Second violation- conference with principal/student must change into appropriate attire/parent contact/discipline referral

• Third violation- out-of-school suspension/parent conference/potential loss of enrollment

COSTUME EVENTS

• Costumes may not include dangerous objects (e.g., toy swords, toy guns, chains, skates, or spray cans). Please leave all accessories at home.

• Students should be able to manipulate their own costumes to use the restroom independently.

• Young children should arrive at school in costume and be able to sit and learn without distraction.

• Costumes should not be frightening. No blood or gore.  No masks or costumes that cover the head.

• Costumes should be opaque.

• Shoes must be safe (no slippers or high heels) 

• Face masks, hoods, or anything that covers the face cannot be worn.

• If a child does not meet the guidelines, he/she will be asked to remove the costume.